Hugh Taylor

Hugh Wilson "Bones" Taylor (July 6, 1923 – November 1, 1992) was an American professional football player and coach. He played as an end in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Redskins.

Taylor attended Tulane University at the start of World War II where he was a Navy V-12 student. At Tulane he was an All-Southeastern Conference and All-American basketball player in 1943. After being discharged from the U.S. Navy in 1946, he played college football at Oklahoma City College before entering the NFL in 1947.

In his first NFL game, he caught eight passes for 212 yards and three touchdowns, setting league records for an NFL debut and first game of the season. The first two records were eclipsed (with Anquan Boldin in 2003 and Frank Clarke in 1962, respectively), while Taylor still holds the touchdown record for a debut.

As a member of the Redskins from 1947 to 1954, the 6-foot-4-inch Taylor made the Pro Bowl in 1952 and 1954. His 58 receiving touchdowns in 94 career games is the most for all receivers who played less than 100 career games. He ranked in the top ten for receptions (8th), receiving yards (5th), and touchdowns (2nd) when he departed the NFL.

Following his playing career, Taylor coached in the college and professional ranks. After two seasons as an assistant at Florida State University, he served as the head football coach at Arkansas State College—now known as Arkansas State University from 1958 to 1959, compiling a record of 7–11. While at Arkansas State, he was initiated into the Sigma Pi fraternity chapter there. Taylor then moved to the American Football League (AFL), as an assistant coach with the New York Titans from 1960 to 1962 and with the San Diego Chargers in 1963.

He was an assistant for the Houston Oilers for one season before succeeding Sammy Baugh as head coach in 1965. The Oilers went 4–10 in 1965, resulting in Taylor's dismissal at the end of the season. Taylor coached receivers for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL from 1966 to 1968. In 1969, he coached the Spokane Shockers of the Continental Football League. The Shockers were owned by Taylor's former Redskins teammate, Ed Justice. With the Shockers, Taylor coached Ken Stabler, a rookie quarterback late signed by the Oakland Raiders.

Taylor married Clara Jewel Hall and had two children with her. Taylor died on November 1, 1992 and was survived by his two children and two stepdaughters.